Journal
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Volume 30, Issue 6, Pages 887-898Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2011.01.019
Keywords
Bench-top POCT analyzer; Continuous measurement POCT system; Hemostaseological coagulation analyzer; Molecular-biology-based POCT device; POCT; POCT data-manager software; POCT in developing countries; Point-of-care testing; Strip-based POCT; Unit-use analyzer
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Funding
- European Commission [NMP4-CT-2006-017333]
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Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a laboratory-medicine discipline that is evolving rapidly in analytical scope and clinical application. In this review, we first describe the state of the art of medical-laboratory tests that can be performed near the patient. At present, POCT ranges from basic blood-glucose measurement to complex viscoelastic coagulation assays. POCT shortens the time to clinical decision-making about additional testing or therapy, as delays are no longer caused by transport and preparation of clinical samples, and biochemical-test results are rapidly available at the point of care. Improved medical outcome and lower costs may ensue. Recent, evolving technological advances enable the development of novel POCT instruments. We review the underlying analytical techniques. If new instruments are not yet in practical use, it is often hard to decide whether the underlying analytical principle has real advantage over former methods. However, future utilization of POCT also depends on health-care trends and new areas of application. But, even today, it can be assumed that, for certain applications, near-patient testing is a useful complement to conventional laboratory analyses. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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